Expedia Group's Peter Kern appears to be a pragmatic and humble CEO - something that many companies have been in sore need of during the last two years.
After being appointed to the role in April 2020, Kern has overseen a business that is trying to both stablize itself financially and structurally during a global pandemic and stamp his mark on one that wants to play a major role in the future of the industry.
Speaking during The Phocuswright Conference 2021, he explains how the company has tried to follow the market as closely as possible with regards to its marketing activity (although it "sending some big checks" back to Google now).
But other areas of the business have been trimmed or curtailed entirely, such as its decision to scale back on owning the supply activities it provides to consumers by adopting a marketplace approach, or offloading the Egencia travel management division to American Express GBT (by way ot a ten-year content hotel supply deal).
"Powering the industry," is a phrase that Kern uses a lot as he outlines what he thinks will be a core component of the Expedia Group in the recovery period and beyond.
Whether it's helping regional online travel agencies with their supply and technology or being part owners of others.
Either way, Kern's rhetoric about the future is led by a belief that the company can win in some areas of the industry and go on the offense when the opportunities arise, eithe through its consumer-facing or B2B strategies.
The full interview with Phocuswright's Lorraine Sileo is included below...
Executive Interview: Expedia Group - Peter Kern - The Phocuswright Conference 2021